1795 Draped Bust. Real or Counterfeit? 1 1

[Nate Norris]

Need help identifying whether this is real or fake.

[zadok]

...fakeroo....

[Sandon]

   Welcome to the NGC chat board.

   Please post cropped photos of this purported 1795 Draped Bust dollar taken with the camera directly over the coin and not from an angle. Additionally, please post a photo of or describe the edge of the coin. A genuine piece would have the words HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT with the words separated by decorative rectangles, circles and stars on the edge.

  Based on the current photos, the coin isn't an immediately obvious counterfeit as are many we see on these forums, but there are many fakes of these coins of varying qualities. The surfaces look somewhat peculiar for a genuine coin of this type.  The positioning of the stars and letters appear consistent with the BB-51, B-14 "off-center bust" die variety, but there are counterfeits of this variety that were modeled from genuine coins.  If the coin is genuine, the deep reverse scratches and other damage would result in a "details" grade and reduce its value, but it would still be worth enough (low four figures) to warrant professional authentication and grading by a third-party grading service such as NGC.

[Nate Norris]

Thanks all. It isn't mine, these were posted by seller. Here's a pic of the edge. If there's any doubt, I'll pass. 

[Sandon]

 

On 7/18/2023 at 10:31 AM, Nate Norris said:

If there's any doubt, I'll pass. 

 Yes, there's doubt, so pass!  Moreover, under no circumstances should a newer (or nowadays even a more experienced) collector purchase a coin of this value unless it resides in a holder from a reputable third-party grading service such as NGC, PCGS or ANACS. It takes years of experience to develop sufficient knowledge and judgment to form a reasonable opinion as to the authenticity of such a coin and may require in-person examination and testing equipment as well.

  Your photo of the edge is too distant to be of any real value. (Never hold a coin that may have collector value with your bare fingers, except by its edge if you absolutely must. That's how they become worn and discolored.) 

   If you are new to coin collecting, we can provide you with references to books and online resources that will help you learn.

   Out of curiosity, how much was the seller asking for this coin?

   

[Nate Norris]

$200  

[Nate Norris]

After I asked for more pictures/details, she kept lowering the price until someone bought for $50. Definitely a fake.

[Sandon]

On 7/18/2023 at 4:14 PM, Nate Norris said:

$200  

  Old saying-- "There is no Santa Claus in numismatics." 

On 7/18/2023 at 4:16 PM, Nate Norris said:

After I asked for more pictures/details, she kept lowering the price until someone bought for $50. Definitely a fake.

 The only other possibility is that the seller had no idea whether the coin was genuine or what it would be worth if it was.  In either case, this is why you should only buy coins from established, reputable dealers.

 FYI, this is what a genuine coin if this type would look like and the sort of photos we would need. (This 1796 large date, small letters was obtained from a major dealer in the 1990s and certified by NGC after I took the photos):

  Here's what the edge should look like, this from an 1800 silver dollar, which has the same edge style:

 

 

 

[EarlyUS.com]

Fake!

[RWB]

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by RWB

[Mike Meenderink]

The stars are dead give away. The font for the date and Liberty is also a dead give away. I'll bet it is also wrong weight. The coin is definitely a FAKE!

[VKurtB]

On 7/20/2023 at 10:57 AM, Mike Meenderink said:

The stars are dead give away. The font for the date and Liberty is also a dead give away. I'll bet it is also wrong weight. The coin is definitely a FAKE!

Uggh! Even the hair is 1992-1998 style Washington Spaghetti.

[Nate Norris]

Ha, appreciate everyone's responses and eyes for detail.